Thoughts from Middle Georgia

This last Sunday was the final race in the Middle Georgia Time Trial training series. I went into the race having won the previous three races and leading the open class just ahead of a strong Tony Blansit. Just like my team mates who were racing down in Albany, I was faced with strong winds and cooling temperatures. Added to this was the fact that I was at the end of a hard training block and my legs felt like lead. Still I was optimistic that I would be able to have one final strong effort and close out the series with a win.

The race set up with a 20 mph headwind on the way out so I knew that's where I had to go hard to create the biggest gaps I could. In time trialing, you make beat your competition on the sections of the course where it's hard and by keeping a strong steady pace (rather than going too hard and then having to rest). That usually means you give it a little more into head winds and on climbs and then back off just a bit to recover on downhills and when riding with tailwinds because you won't do that much better than your competition there.

So I railed it going out and ended up nearly overcooking the first minute (as a result of giving it more than a little more). Riding into the strong wind caused me to push too hard at first and I spent the next three minutes trying to hold it all together so that I didn't blow up for the trip back. Once I turned around and picked up the tailwind, I focused on keeping a position that would allow me to generate the maximum power since aerodynamics wasn't quite as important.

I ended up picking up my 5th win of the season and winning the series overall title with a 9:00 minute exactly ride. With any luck, I'll continue my winning ways at the TT at the Perry Omnium this coming weekend. The competition is heating up so the 10 mile course will be a good test of my fitness compared to other Georgia riders racing in the Masters 45+ category.

Finally, a big thanks go out to the folks of Middle Georgia Endurance who put on a great winter series and raised a lot of money of a good cause. Charles and the gang say they've got some other things planned and are looking at a few changes for the series next year that'll make it even more exciting. If you're reading this and thinking of getting into racing a bit, I would recommend a time trial as a good first race whether you'r thinking of doing triathlons or bike racing and this is a great series to get your feet wet.

Thanks for reading and keep the rubber side down.

Chad

-